Environmental sociology primarily investigates the interactions between human societies and the natural environment, exploring how social factors influence environmental outcomes and how environmental changes impact societies.

Environmental justice theory focuses on the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities, highlighting the role of social inequality in shaping environmental outcomes.

Environmental transformation refers to the ways in which human activities, such as urbanization, industrialization, and agriculture, alter the natural environment and its ecological processes.

Sustainable development is a concept that seeks to balance economic growth with environmental protection, aiming to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Climate adaptation refers to the actions taken by societies to adjust to the impacts of climate change, such as building seawalls to protect coastal communities from rising sea levels or developing drought-resistant crops.

Climate change is primarily caused by the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere, leading to global warming and associated climate disruptions.

Biodiversity depletion refers to the reduction in the variety of life on Earth, including the loss of species, habitats, and genetic diversity, primarily driven by human activities such as habitat destruction, pollution, and overexploitation.

Traditional ecological knowledge refers to the knowledge and practices that indigenous and local communities have developed over generations to sustainably manage their environment and natural resources.

Urbanization refers to the process by which people move from rural areas to urban areas, leading to the growth of cities and the concentration of population in urban centers.

Water pollution is primarily caused by the discharge of untreated or inadequately treated wastewater, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff into water bodies, leading to the contamination and degradation of water quality.

Sustainable transition refers to the process by which societies shift from unsustainable practices to more sustainable and environmentally friendly ones, aiming to reduce their ecological footprint and promote long-term sustainability.

Environmental activism refers to the collective efforts of individuals and groups to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes, and take direct action to address environmental issues and promote sustainability.

Resource extraction refers to the process of removing natural resources, such as minerals, fossil fuels, and timber, from the Earth's crust or oceans for use in various economic activities.

Circular economy refers to an economic model that aims to minimize waste and maximize resource utilization by designing products and processes that facilitate reuse, recycling, and the recovery of materials.

Soil degradation refers to the process by which human activities, such as deforestation, intensive agriculture, and industrial pollution, lead to the deterioration of soil quality, resulting in reduced fertility, erosion, and loss of biodiversity.